Truth and healing threatened by an unholy chokehold

Well-meaning Pope is stif led by toxic Vatican

SHORTLY after the Papal mass finished in the Phoenix Park, three priests who were heading to Connolly Station to return to their host families in Raheny, attempted to enter a public house on Talbot Street. However, they were accosted and stopped by three women who told them in no uncertain terms that neither the men nor their clerical collars were welcome.

One of the priests – now back in France – told Liveline that they decided to move on and forgive, although they were shaken and surprised by the incident.

In many ways it epitomised the visit of Pope Francis to Ireland last week. The Church being confronted – and in turn asking for forgiveness.

As I predicted here last week, the crowds were lower than expected but the question I asked about the impact of the visit remains unanswered.

While the enthusiasm and joy that greeted Pope Francis proved we are not the postCatholic country some claim, the dignity and solidarity displayed at the events at the Garden of Remembrance and Tuam showed a confident, enduring campaign that will not go away.

ONE thing that did emerge during the weekend is that there is a very well organised and financed group of right-wing Catholics based in the USA and Canada who are determined to get rid of Pope Francis. The bizarre 11-page letter released by the former Vatican ambassador to Washington, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, calling for the Pope’s resignation was timed to overshadow and derail the Irish visit. The subsequent campaign by LifeSite news, a North Americabased website, is determined to continue the campaign to get rid of Pope Francis – and indeed any sign of liberalisation in the Church. Following this news site during the week – including its attacks on a named RTÉ journalist in Knock who wasn’t even there – reminded me of a point made by Fr Brian D’Arcy last weekend.

Brian, one of Ireland’s most popular priests, stated baldly that if Francis were no longer Pope, he would no longer be a priest in Ireland and preparing to celebrate his 50th year in ministry next year.

This to me is one of the main points to emerge from the visit – while the Pope did connect with people, his understanding of abuse in Ireland seemed very limited and his apologies did not go far enough – but imagine if he wasn’t in charge.

Pope Francis is not just the first pontiff of that name, he is the first Latin American, first Jesuit, and the first from outside Europe in 1,272 years. While he was a cardinal in Argentina he made no secret about his distrust of the Curia in the Vatican. It now looks like they are out to get him.

Is this why Francis seems to stop short in saying what he really means. The Italian media were taken aback by his use of the word ‘caca’ in Dublin last Saturday evening to describe child-abusing clerics but it did give us an insight into his visceral anger.

But by Wednesday, when speaking about his visit to Ireland he omitted a line from his prepared text where he stated that he would ‘firmly pursue truth and justice’ to help victims heal.

It’s not yet Trump’s White House or House Of Cards but the Vatican, with its machinations, double-dealing and backstabbing, is shaping up to be some holy show.